Korean TV Drama

Daejanggeum(Jewel in the Palace)

The TV miniseries Daejanggeum, or Jewel
in the Palace, which aired on MBC from September 15,
2003 to March 23, 2004, set many new records. The miniseries,
whose viewer rate averaged 47%, and even reached a high of 57.8%,
is based on the story of a real historical figure (Jang-geum)
who was the first and only woman to serve as head physician
to the King in the rigidly hierarchical and male-dominated social
structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Daejanggeum,
in English, “the Great Jang-geum,” caught the attention of
Korean TV viewers with its unique combination of two themes:
the successful rise of a female, which is rarely covered in
historical genre, and the elements of traditional food and medicine.
For three months, beginning in May 2004, Daejanggeum
aired in Taiwan, overtaking other Taiwanese miniseries, and
snatching the title of most viewed program of the season. In
fact, nowadays, visiting Taiwanese fans flock to the main filming
locations on Jeju Island, at the Korean Folk Village, Naganeupseong,
Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace. The
series was also launched on NHK satellite TV beginning October
8, 2004. In spring 2004, Daejanggeum also gained
popularity in the West when the drama aired in 60 episodes on
WOCH-Ch in Chicago, drawing large numbers of Daejanggeum
aficionados. These days, the main filming locations on
Jeju Island, at the Korean Folk Village, Naganeupseong, Suwon
Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace are crowded
with Taiwanese fans.

Jang-geum (played by Lee Young-ae) is the daughter of Seo
Cheon-su (played by Park Chan-hwan), a former judicial officer-turned
butcher (the lowest social class) who lives in hiding after
being expelled from the royal palace, and Madame Park (played
by Kim Hye-seon), a former court lady working in the royal
kitchen who narrowly escaped death following a murderous
conspiracy planned by Court Lady Choi. As a young child,
Jang-geum loses both parents and enters the royal palace
in the kitchen. In the royal kitchen, she spends a harsh
childhood in continuous competition with Choi Geum-yeong
(played by Hong Li-na). Under the protection and tutelage
of Court Lady Han, Jang-geum makes every effort to become
the best cook in the palace. Her endeavors enable her to
become a recognized cook; but Lady Choi and her faction,
jealous of the success of Lady Han and Jang-geum, plot a
conspiracy, which leads to the death of Lady Han and Jang-geum’s
expulsion from the royal palace. Jang-geum is relegated
to the position of maidservant for the local government
office on Jeju Island. While in exile, Jang-geum learns
medicine. Through native intelligence and patient efforts,
she earns her reputation as a woman doctor on the island.
After a time, she returns to the palace, where she is recognized
by the king and becomes the royal physician, and also the
first female physician in history to serve the king. The
king falls in love with her, but she cannot return his love,
as she is already in love with Min Jung-Ho, who has stood
by her side during the most difficult times. * The concluding
part omitted.

Seo Jang-geum / Played by Lee
Young-Ae - More
InfoAs a beautiful and intelligent
woman blessed with a positive attitude, Jang-geum
is haunted by numerous difficulties. Yet, she
overcomes them with an iron will. She enters
the royal palace at the age of ten and puts
her heart and soul into cooking, finally achieving
recognition for her talents. However, she is
entrapped in a conspiracy aimed at her mentor
Lady Han, and she is expelled from the palace.
She is forced to work as a maidservant for the
local government in Jeju Island. There, she
studies medicine and re-enters the palace, ultimately
becoming the head physician and also the first
woman physician in the history of Joseon to
serve the king.

Min Jung-ho / Played by Ji Jin-Hee - More
Info Min Jung-ho becomes closely
bound to Jang-geum after his appointment as
a Royal Guards officer. He is an outstanding
scholar who not only passes the civil service
examination, but also possesses great talent
as a military officer, which leads to a position
with the Royal Guards. He is a learned man with
intelligence and good looks. Deeply touched
by Jang-geum’s wisdom and passion for learning,
he helps her in many ways. At the same time,
he falls in love with her, but his love also
puts him in deep trouble.

Choi Geum-young / Played by Hong Li-na –
More
InfoGeum-young enters the royal
palace with Jang-Geum and becomes her long-time
rival in the royal kitchen. She is the niece
of Lady Choi, who holds the place of power in
the royal kitchen. Arrogant and burning with
ambition, Geum-young has loved Min Jung-ho ever
since she was a little child, but her love is
never returned. She considers Jang-geum her
rival, and is always out to defeat her.

King Jungjong / Played by Im Ho – More
InfoHe is the 11th king of the
Chosun Dynasty. A gentle man, but at the same
time irresolute and indecisive, the king cherishes
Jang-geum’s many talents and later falls in
love with her.

Lady Han (Han Ae-jong) / Played by Yang Mi-gyeong
–More
InfoLady Han is an outstanding
cook and one of the teachers and mentors of
the royal kitchen. Strict in her principles,
yet warm-hearted, she cares for Jang-geum like
a daughter. She dies in a conspiracy planned
by Lady Choi.

Lady Choi (Choi Seong-geum) / Played by Gyeon
Mi-ri – More
InfoShe is the younger sister of
the wealthy Choi Pan-sul and the aunt of Geum-young.
Arrogant and self-assured, she is a master of
cooking with a frightening tenacity to succeed.
Her desire for power leads her to plot the death
of Madame Park, the mother of Jang-geum, and
Lady Han. She also expels Jang-geum from the
palace.

• Filming
Locations of DaejanggeumTo enhance the
visual impact of the miniseries, Daejanggeum was filmed
in numerous locations throughout the country, from Seoul
to Jeju Island. Presented here are the major locations,
which are not only popular tourist destinations, but relatively
easy to get to.

Changdeokgung Palace
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Changdeokgung Palace has been designated
by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.
It appeared in episode 1 depicting the procession
of King Yeonsangun, episode 3 depicting the
procession of King Jungjong, episode 51 where
King Jungjong is prevented from entering the
residence of his son Gyeongwondaegun, and episodes
51 and 52 in which King Jungjong walks and talks
with Jang-geum.

Korean Folk Village
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The Korean Folk Village was the
location of episode 54, in which Jang-geum gives
birth to Min Jung-ho’s child, and Jang-geum,
Min Jung-ho and the baby become a family. It
is also the site of episode 51 in which Jang-geum
takes care of smallpox patients in a village.
Numerous other scenes were also shot here.

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
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Scenes of little Jang-geum undergoing
training at the palace in episodes 3 and 4,
the cooking competition in episode 8, the training
of women doctors and Naeuiwon (medical facility
in the palace) scenes in the latter episodes,
and many others were filmed at Haenggung Palace.

Jeju Folk VillageMany of the scenes
in which Jang-geum learns medicine as a maidservant
for the Jeju local government from episodes
27 to 32 were filmed at the Jeju Folk Village.
Here, information with photos and descriptions
of the scenes make it easier for visitors to
find the locations. In particular, there is
a large photo of Daejanggeum in front of the
Jeju government office gate, where visitors
like to take photographs.

Hyeopjae Beach -
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The scene in episode 28, in which
Min Jung-ho looks out to sea as Jang-geum leaves
by boat, and the scene in which Jang-geum runs
towards her cottage residence were shot here.
Hyeopjae Beach is famous for its jade-colored
waters.

OedolgaeIn episodes
30 and 31, Jang-geum stands alone on a precipice
looking out to the sea in firm resolution. A
site offering a spectacular view, Oedolgae is
one of the most visited tourist sites on Jeju
Island.

Jeju Jinjigul CaveIn
episode 54, Jang-geum finds a woman in labor
inside the cave. She performs an operation that
saves both the woman and her child. Jinjigul
Cave is actually man-made. Aiming to use Jeju
Island as an advance base to protect its mainland,
the Japanese military excavated Jinjigul Cave
in early 1945. An exhibition showing military
equipment and everyday articles used by the
Japanese military has recently been opened in
the cave, and it is becoming a popular tourist
attraction.

Seongeup-ri Ranch Area in Namjeju-gun
(ATV Jeju Joy) Many of the scenes were
filmed on an open range located in Seongeup-ri,
Pyoseong-myeon, Namjeju-gun. Filmed here were
scenes of Jang-geum carrying the dying Courtier
Han on her back and later burying her. This
is also where Jang-geum is taken by a military
guard to a place of exile on the island. Other
scenes shot here were Jang-geum going back to
search for Lady Han’s grave, and erecting a
tombstone. Visitors can still see the tombstone
by registering for the Daejanggeum tour operated
by ATV Jeju Joy. A thrilling experience awaits
tour-goers, who will visit the filming locations
in an all terrain four-wheeled vehicles.

< Naganeupseong Folk Village >
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This location, a butcher’s village,
appeared in episode 1, in which Jang-geum’s
father Seo Cheon-su and other officials deliver
poison (given to them by the king) to deposed
Queen Yun. Images of the Royal Guards training
grounds and Joseon-era marketplace scenes were
also filmed here. Episode 39, in which a contagious
disease ravages the village, and episode 40,
in which Min Jung-ho visits a disease-ridden
village to save Jang-geum, were also filmed
here.

Seonunsa Temple -
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Well known for its beauty, Seonunsa
Temple provided the location for episode 2.
Filmed at Jinheunggul Cave near Seonunsa Temple,
it shows Janggeum’s mother, Madame Park, alone
in a cave absorbed in thought. The scene in
which Jang-geum hides from a military search
party, in a rock crevice was filmed at Dosoram
Hermitage. The scene in episode 6 where Jang-geum
climbs down the mountain carrying a golden pheasant
was filmed near the temple. The scenes at the
stone tomb of Madame Park in episodes 23, 27
and 28 were all shot nearby. Finally, in episode
48, Lady Choi asks for forgiveness at Madame
Park’s tomb.

This restaurant serves royal court cuisine and traditional
Korean food. Dinner napkins and other accessories
are decorated with the Daejanggeum logo and
characters. Address : 200-82, Jangchung-dong
2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul How to get there
: Take Subway line 3 and get off at Dongguk
Univ. Exit 5. The restaurant is behind Jangchung
Stadium Price : Daejanggeum Seon
Set Menu 59,000 wonDaejanggeum Mi Set Menu
49,000 won